Information processing apparatus, information processing system, non-transitory computer readable medium, and autonomous vehicle

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus for controlling an autonomous vehicle that travels between points includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine, based on the current time and a predetermined time, to charge, to replace, or neither to charge nor replace a battery, mounted in the autonomous vehicle, at a first point when the autonomous vehicle located at the first point is to travel by the predetermined time to a second point that is the next destination.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2020-167934, filed on Oct. 2, 2020, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus,an information processing system, a program, and an autonomous vehicle.

BACKGROUND

For example, a system using a plurality of automatic guided vehicles(AGVs) is utilized as a distribution system for conveying goods infactories and plants. For example, patent literature (PTL) 1 discloses acharging control apparatus that charges an AGV before execution of thenext conveyance order when an amount of energy sufficient to execute thenext conveyance order does not remain in the battery.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PTL 1: JP 2000-152421 A

SUMMARY

Autonomous vehicles that travel from a first point to a distant secondpoint by a predetermined time, unlike AGVs moving in limited areaswithin factories and plants, can be considered. At this time, if theremaining level of the battery mounted in the autonomous vehicle reacheszero, causing an electricity shortage, then the autonomous vehiclebecomes incapable of driving. It thus becomes difficult to travel to thedestination.

It would be helpful to provide technology for suppressing an electricityshortage in an autonomous vehicle that travels between points.

An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is an information processing apparatus forcontrolling an autonomous vehicle that travels between points, theinformation processing apparatus including a controller configured to:

determine, based on a current time and a predetermined time, to charge,to replace, or neither to charge nor replace a battery, mounted in theautonomous vehicle, at a first point when the autonomous vehicle locatedat the first point is to travel by the predetermined time to a secondpoint that is a next destination.

A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure isconfigured to cause an information processing apparatus for controllingan autonomous vehicle that travels between points to execute operationsincluding:

determining, based on a current time and a predetermined time, tocharge, to replace, or neither to charge nor replace a battery, mountedin the autonomous vehicle, at a first point when the autonomous vehiclelocated at the first point is to travel by the predetermined time to asecond point that is a next destination.

An autonomous vehicle according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is an autonomous vehicle to be controlled by an informationprocessing apparatus and to travel between points, the autonomousvehicle including a controller configured to:

determine, based on a current time and a predetermined time, to charge,to replace, or neither to charge nor replace a mounted battery at afirst point when the autonomous vehicle is to travel by thepredetermined time to a second point that is a next destination.

The information processing apparatus, information processing system,program, and autonomous vehicle according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure can prevent an electricity shortage in an autonomous vehiclethat travels between points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of aninformation processing system that includes an information processingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating schematicconfigurations of the information processing apparatus and an autonomousvehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for illustrating an example of aninformation processing method executed by the information processingsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of an informationprocessing method executed by the information processing apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of an informationprocessing method executed by the information processing apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of an informationprocessing method executed by the information processing apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth example of an informationprocessing method executed by the information processing apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating a first example of processing by acontroller of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating a second example of processing by acontroller of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with referenceto the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of aninformation processing system 1 that includes an information processingapparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Withreference to FIG. 1, an overview of the information processing system 1that includes the information processing apparatus 10 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure is primarily described. In additionto the information processing apparatus 10, the information processingsystem 1 includes an autonomous vehicle 20.

In FIG. 1, one each of the information processing apparatus 10 and theautonomous vehicle 20 are illustrated for the sake of simplicity, butthe number of information processing apparatuses 10 and autonomousvehicles 20 included in the information processing system 1 may be twoor more of each. The information processing apparatus 10 and theautonomous vehicle 20 are each communicably connected to a network 30including, for example, a mobile communication network and/or theInternet.

The information processing apparatus 10 is, for example, a single serverapparatus or a plurality of server apparatuses that can communicate witheach other. The information processing apparatus 10 is not limited tobeing a server apparatus and may be any general purpose electronicdevice, such as a personal computer (PC) or smartphone, or may beanother electronic device dedicated to the information processing system1. The information processing apparatus 10 controls the autonomousvehicle 20 that travels between points.

The autonomous vehicle 20 includes, for example, any electric vehiclethat can drive using a vehicle-mounted battery and travels betweenpoints by autonomous driving. The autonomous vehicle 20 includes, forexample, a small, unmanned delivery vehicle that autonomously deliverspackages. This example is not limiting, and the autonomous vehicle 20may include any electric vehicle used in applications other thandelivery of packages or may include any manned electric vehicle thatdrives autonomously.

After the autonomous vehicle 20 moves to a predetermined position as adestination, a battery provided in the autonomous vehicle 20 itself ischarged as necessary using a battery charging facility if such acharging facility is provided at the predetermined point, for example.Similarly, the battery provided in the autonomous vehicle 20 itself isreplaced with a charged battery provided in a battery replacementfacility if such a replacement facility is provided at the predeterminedpoint, for example.

As a summary of an embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10determines, based on the current time and a predetermined time, tocharge, to replace, or neither to charge nor replace a battery, mountedin the autonomous vehicle 20, at a first point when the autonomousvehicle 20 located at the first point is to travel by the predeterminedtime to a second point that is a next destination.

In the present disclosure, the “predetermined time” includes, forexample, a desired reception time of a recipient who is to receive apackage, carried by the autonomous vehicle 20, at the second point. Thisexample is not limiting, and the predetermined time may include any timethat is a predetermined time before the desired reception time, forexample. For example, the predetermined time includes the time to chargeor replace the battery in the autonomous vehicle 20 at the second point.The predetermined time is not limited to a time associated with deliveryof the package as described above and may include the time at which theautonomous vehicle 20 should travel to the second point for any otherappropriate purpose.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, configurations of the informationprocessing apparatus 10 and the autonomous vehicle 20 included in theinformation processing system 1 are primarily described. FIG. 2 is afunctional block diagram illustrating schematic configurations of theinformation processing apparatus 10 and the autonomous vehicle 20 ofFIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10includes a communication interface 11, a memory 12, and a controller 13.

The communication interface 11 includes a communication module thatconnects to the network 30. For example, the communication interface 11may include a communication module compliant with mobile communicationstandards such as 4th Generation (4G) and 5th Generation (5G) or withInternet standards. In an embodiment, the information processingapparatus 10 is connected to the network 30 via the communicationinterface 11. The communication interface 11 transmits and receivesvarious information via the network 30.

The memory 12 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magneticmemory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these. Thememory 12 may, for example, function as a main memory, an auxiliarymemory, or a cache memory. The memory 12 stores any information used foroperations of the information processing apparatus 10. For example, thememory 12 may store a system program, an application program, varioustypes of information received or transmitted by the communicationinterface 11, and the like. The information stored in the memory 12 may,for example, be updated with information received from the network 30via the communication interface 11.

The controller 13 includes one or more processors. The “processor” in anembodiment is a general purpose processor or a dedicated processor thatis dedicated to specific processing, but the processor is not limited tothese. The controller 13 is communicably connected to each componentforming the information processing apparatus 10 and controls operationsof the information processing apparatus 10 overall.

Next, the configuration of the autonomous vehicle 20 included in theinformation processing system 1 is primarily described. As illustratedin FIG. 2, the autonomous vehicle 20 includes a communication interface21, a memory 22, an acquisition interface 23, a power supply 24, and acontroller 25.

The communication interface 21 includes a communication module thatconnects to the network 30. For example, the communication interface 21may include a communication module compliant with mobile communicationstandards such as 4G and 5G. In an embodiment, the autonomous vehicle 20is connected to the network 30 via the communication interface 21. Thecommunication interface 21 transmits and receives various informationvia the network 30.

The memory 22 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magneticmemory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these. Thememory 22 may, for example, function as a main memory, an auxiliarymemory, or a cache memory. The memory 22 stores any information used foroperations of the autonomous vehicle 20. For example, the memory 22 maystore a system program, an application program, various types ofinformation received or transmitted by the communication interface 21,and the like. The information stored in the memory 22 may, for example,be updated with information received from the network 30 via thecommunication interface 21.

The acquisition interface 23 includes one or more receivers compliantwith any appropriate satellite positioning system. For example, theacquisition interface 23 may include a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver. The acquisition interface 23 acquires the measured position ofthe autonomous vehicle 20 that travels between points as positionalinformation. The acquisition interface 23 may acquire the positionalinformation for the autonomous vehicle 20 continually, regularly, ornon-regularly.

The power supply 24 includes a battery that enables the autonomousvehicle 20 to drive. Additionally, the power supply 24 includes anyappropriate drive mechanism that enables charging or replacement of thebattery based on control information from the information processingapparatus 10, described below. For example, the power supply 24 includesa drive mechanism for charging compatible with a battery chargingfacility provided at the point. For example, the power supply 24includes a drive mechanism for replacement compatible with a batteryreplacement facility provided at the point.

The controller 25 includes one or more processors. The “processor” in anembodiment is a general purpose processor or a dedicated processor thatis dedicated to specific processing, but the processor is not limited tothese. The controller 25 is communicably connected to each componentforming the autonomous vehicle 20 and controls operations of theautonomous vehicle 20 overall.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for illustrating an example of aninformation processing method executed by the information processingsystem 1 of FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 3, an example informationprocessing method executed by the information processing system 1 ofFIG. 1 is described. In the sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 3, oneautonomous vehicle 20 is assumed to arrive at the first point to chargeor replace the battery included in the power supply 24.

In step S100, the controller 25 of the autonomous vehicle 20 uses theacquisition interface 23 to acquire the measured position of theautonomous vehicle 20 as positional information.

In step S101, the controller 25 of the autonomous vehicle 20 transmitsthe positional information acquired in step S100 to the informationprocessing apparatus 10 via the communication interface 21 and thenetwork 30.

In step S102, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 detects that the autonomous vehicle 20 is located at the first pointbased on the positional information acquired in step S101.

In step S103, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 acquires a predetermined time associated with the autonomous vehicle20 detected in step S102, along with the current time.

In step S104, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 determines to charge or replace the battery mounted in the autonomousvehicle 20 at the first point based on the current time and thepredetermined time acquired in step S103.

In step S105, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 generates control information for the autonomous vehicle 20 to chargeor replace the battery at the first point based on the determinationprocess in step S104.

In step S106, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 transmits the control information generated in step S105 to theautonomous vehicle 20 via the communication interface 11 and the network30.

In step S107, the controller 25 of the autonomous vehicle 20 charges orreplaces the battery included in the power supply 24 at the first pointbased on the control information acquired in step S106.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of an informationprocessing method executed by the information processing apparatus 10 ofFIG. 1. The flowchart in FIG. 4 illustrates the flow of basic processingof the information processing method executed by the informationprocessing apparatus 10. In the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4, it isassumed that the autonomous vehicle 20 located at the first pointtravels to the second point, which is the next destination, by thepredetermined time.

In step S200, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 detects that the autonomous vehicle 20 is located at the first pointbased on positional information acquired from the autonomous vehicle 20.

In step S201, the controller 13 acquires the predetermined timeassociated with the autonomous vehicle 20 detected in step S200, alongwith the current time.

In step S202, the controller 13 determines to charge, to replace, orneither to charge nor replace the battery mounted in the autonomousvehicle 20 at the first point based on the current time and thepredetermined time acquired in step S201.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of an informationprocessing method executed by the information processing apparatus 10 ofFIG. 1. The flowchart in FIG. 5 more specifically illustrates theprocess of step S202 when the information processing apparatus 10detects that only one autonomous vehicle 20 is located at the firstpoint in step S200 of FIG. 4.

In step S300, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 judges whether the remaining level of the battery mounted in the oneautonomous vehicle 20 detected in step S200 of FIG. 4 is less than aprescribed remaining level. When the controller 13 judges that theremaining level of the battery is less than the prescribed remaininglevel, the controller 13 executes the process of step S301. When thecontroller 13 judges that the remaining level of the battery is not lessthan the prescribed remaining level, i.e. that the remaining level ofthe battery is at least the prescribed remaining level, the controller13 executes the process of step S304.

In the present disclosure, the “prescribed remaining level” includes,for example, the remaining level required to arrive at an N^(th) point,where a battery charging facility and/or a replacement facility isprovided, when the autonomous vehicle 20 travels from the first point toat least one point that is a destination. For example, when a batterycharging facility and/or a replacement facility is provided at thesecond point that is the next destination, the prescribed remaininglevel includes the remaining level required for the autonomous vehicle20 to depart from the first point and arrive at the second point.

For example, the controller 13 may determine the prescribed remaininglevel of the battery based on topographical information along a travelroute between the first point and the N^(th) point where the batterycharging facility and/or the replacement facility is provided. In thepresent disclosure, the “topographical information” includes, forexample, distance, the shape of undulations along the road surface, theaverage curvature of the road surface, the average surface μ of the roadsurface, and the like. For example, the controller 13 may determine theprescribed remaining level of the battery based on topographicalinformation along a travel route between the first point and the secondpoint, which is the next destination, when the battery charging facilityand/or the replacement facility is provided at the second point.

For example, the controller 13 may determine a greater prescribedremaining level of the battery as the distance along the travel routebetween the first point and the second point is longer. For example, thecontroller 13 may determine a greater prescribed remaining level of thebattery as the undulations of the road surface are rougher along thetravel route between the first point and the second point. For example,the controller 13 may determine a greater prescribed remaining level ofthe battery as the average curvature of the road surface is larger alongthe travel route between the first point and the second point. Forexample, the controller 13 may determine a greater prescribed remaininglevel of the battery as the average surface μ of the road surface issmaller along the travel route between the first point and the secondpoint.

In addition to or instead of such topographical information, thecontroller 13 may determine the prescribed remaining level of thebattery based on load information on the load applied to the autonomousvehicle 20 in conjunction with driving, for example. In the presentdisclosure, the “load information” includes, for example, the weight ofthe packages to be delivered by the autonomous vehicle 20. For example,the controller 13 may determine a greater prescribed remaining level ofthe battery as the load information on the load applied to theautonomous vehicle 20 in conjunction with driving is larger.

When the controller 13 judges that the remaining level of the battery isless than the prescribed remaining level in step S300, the controller 13compares, in step S301, the remaining time until the departure time atthe first point, based on the predetermined time, with the charging timerequired to charge the battery to the prescribed remaining level.

In the present disclosure, the “departure time” includes, for example, apre-planned time determined by the information processing apparatus 10prior to travel of the autonomous vehicle 20 to the first point so thatthe autonomous vehicle 20 can arrive at the second point by thepredetermined time. This example is not limiting, and the departure timemay, for example, include a time calculated in real time by theinformation processing apparatus 10 after arrival of the autonomousvehicle 20 at the first point so that the autonomous vehicle 20 canarrive at the second point by the predetermined time.

The controller 13 judges whether the remaining time until the departuretime at the first point is equal to or greater than the charging timerequired to charge the battery to the prescribed remaining level. Whenthe controller 13 judges that the remaining time is equal to or greaterthan the charging time, the controller 13 executes the process of stepS302. When the controller 13 judges that the remaining time is not equalto or greater than the charging time, i.e. that the remaining time isless than the charging time, the controller 13 executes the process ofstep S303.

In step S302, the controller 13 determines to charge the battery at thefirst point when judging in step S301 that the remaining time is equalto or greater than the charging time. The autonomous vehicle 20 therebycharges the battery of the power supply 24 to secure the prescribedremaining level of the battery before the departure time is reached.

In step S303, the controller 13 determines to replace the battery at thefirst point when judging in step S301 that the remaining time is lessthan the charging time. The autonomous vehicle 20 thereby immediatelyreplaces the battery of the power supply 24 to secure the prescribedremaining level of the battery even if, for example, the remaining timeuntil the departure time is brief.

When the controller 13 judges that the remaining level of the battery isat least the prescribed remaining level in step S300, the controller 13judges, in step S304, whether the departure time at the first point,based on the predetermined time, has been reached. When the controller13 judges that the departure time has been reached, the controller 13executes the process of step S305. When the controller 13 judges thatthe departure time has not been reached, the controller 13 executes theprocess of step S306.

In step S305, the controller 13 determines neither to charge nor replacethe battery at the first point when judging in step S304 that thedeparture time has been reached. The autonomous vehicle 20 therebybegins to travel toward the second point without the battery of thepower supply 24 being charged or replaced at the first point.

In step S306, the controller 13 determines to charge or replace thebattery at the first point when judging in step S304 that the departuretime has not been reached. The battery of the power supply 24 in theautonomous vehicle 20 is thereby given an extra charge or is replaced tosecure a remaining level sufficiently greater than the prescribedremaining level of the battery before the departure time is reached.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of an informationprocessing method executed by the information processing apparatus 10 ofFIG. 1. The flowchart in FIG. 6 illustrates the flow of basicprocessing, related to the determination of the prescribed remaininglevel of the battery, executed by the information processing apparatus10.

In step S400, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 determines the travel route between the first point and the secondpoint.

In step S401, the controller 13 acquires topographical information alongthe travel route determined in step S400.

In step S402, the controller 13 determines the prescribed remaininglevel of the battery based on the topographical information acquired instep S401.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth example of an informationprocessing method executed by the information processing apparatus 10 ofFIG. 1. The flowchart in FIG. 7 more specifically illustrates theprocess of step S202 when the information processing apparatus 10detects that a plurality of autonomous vehicles 20 is located at thefirst point in step S200 of FIG. 4.

In step S500, the controller 13 of the information processing apparatus10 judges whether a plurality of autonomous vehicles 20 with a remaininglevel of the battery of less than the prescribed remaining level islocated at the first point. When the controller 13 judges that aplurality of autonomous vehicles 20 with a remaining level of thebattery of less than the prescribed remaining level is located at thefirst point, the controller 13 executes the process of step S501. Whenthe controller 13 judges that a plurality of autonomous vehicles 20 witha remaining level of the battery of less than the prescribed remaininglevel is not located at the first point, i.e. that only one or zero islocated at the first point, the controller 13 executes the process ofstep S503.

In step S501, the controller 13 determines a priority for charging orreplacing the battery at the first point for each autonomous vehicle 20based on a predetermined condition when judging that a plurality ofautonomous vehicles 20 with a remaining level of the battery of lessthan the prescribed remaining level is located at the first point instep S500.

In the present disclosure, the “predetermined condition” includes, forexample, whether a charging facility and a replacement facility for thebattery are located at the second point associated with each autonomousvehicle 20. Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined conditionmay, for example, include the distance to the first point from thesecond point associated with each autonomous vehicle 20. Thepredetermined condition may, for example, include the remaining level ofthe battery at the current time for each autonomous vehicle 20. Thepredetermined condition may, for example, include the remaining timeuntil the departure time associated with each autonomous vehicle 20.

In step S502, the controller 13 determines either to charge or toreplace the battery, installed in the target autonomous vehicle 20, atthe first point in accordance with the priority determined in step S501.At this time, the controller 13 may, for example, execute a processsimilar to steps S301 to S303 of FIG. 5 for the target autonomousvehicle 20.

When the controller 13 judges that a plurality of autonomous vehicles 20with a remaining level of the battery of less than the prescribedremaining level is not located at the first point in step S500, thecontroller 13 judges in step S503 whether only one autonomous vehicle 20with a remaining level of the battery of less than the prescribedremaining level is located at the first point. When the controller 13judges that only one autonomous vehicle 20 with a remaining level of thebattery of less than the prescribed remaining level is located at thefirst point, the controller 13 executes the process of step S504. Whenthe controller 13 judges that there are no autonomous vehicles 20 with aremaining level of the battery of less than the prescribed remaininglevel located at the first point, the controller 13 executes the processof step S505.

When the controller 13 judges that only one autonomous vehicle 20 with aremaining level of the battery of less than the prescribed remaininglevel is located at the first point in step S503, the controller 13determines, in step S504, either to charge or to replace the battery,installed in the autonomous vehicle 20, at the first point. At thistime, the controller 13 may, for example, execute a process similar tosteps S301 to S303 of FIG. 5 for the autonomous vehicle 20.

When the controller 13 judges that no autonomous vehicle 20 with aremaining level of the battery of less than the prescribed remaininglevel is located at the first point in step S503, the controller 13determines, in step S505, to charge, to replace, or neither to chargenor replace the battery at the first point for at least one autonomousvehicle 20 among the plurality of autonomous vehicles 20 located at thefirst point. At this time, the controller 13 may, for example, execute aprocess similar to steps S304 to S306 of FIG. 5 for the autonomousvehicle 20 targeted by the determination.

For example, the controller 13 may determine the autonomous vehicle 20that is the target of the process in step S505 based on theabove-described predetermined condition. For example, the controller 13may designate an autonomous vehicle 20 whose remaining time until thedeparture time is zero as the target of the process in step S505. Atthis time, the controller 13 may execute the process of steps S304 andS305 of FIG. 5 to determine neither to charge nor replace the battery atthe first point. For example, the controller 13 may prioritize anautonomous vehicle 20 with a lower remaining level of the battery at thecurrent time as the target of the process in step S505. At this time,the controller 13 may, for example, execute the process of steps S304and S306 of FIG. 5 to determine either to charge or replace the batteryat the first point. The battery of the power supply 24 in the autonomousvehicle 20 is thereby given an extra charge or is replaced to secure aremaining level sufficiently greater than the prescribed remaining levelof the battery before the departure time is reached, even if the batterywas at least the prescribed remaining level.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating a first example of processing bythe controller 13 of the information processing apparatus 10 of FIG. 2.FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating a second example of processing bythe controller 13 of the information processing apparatus 10 of FIG. 2.With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the process by the controller 13 fordetermining a priority for each autonomous vehicle 20 when a pluralityof autonomous vehicles 20 with a remaining level of the battery of lessthan the prescribed remaining level are located at the first point isdescribed in greater detail.

For the sake of explanation using FIGS. 8 and 9, it is assumed thatwhile a predetermined autonomous vehicle 20 is using the chargingfacility or the replacement facility provided at the first point, theother autonomous vehicles 20 cannot use either of these facilities. InFIGS. 8 and 9, the number of autonomous vehicles with a remaining levelof the battery of less than the prescribed remaining level is three forthe sake of explanation, but this example is not limiting. The number ofautonomous vehicles 20 with a remaining level of the battery of lessthan the prescribed remaining level may be two or may be four or more.

Referring to FIG. 8, autonomous vehicles A1, A2, and A3 are located at afirst point A as autonomous vehicles 20 with a remaining level of thebattery of less than the prescribed remaining level. The autonomousvehicle A1 located at the first point A travels to a second point B1,which is the next destination, by a predetermined time. The autonomousvehicle A2 located at the first point A travels to the second point B2,which is the next destination, by a predetermined time. The autonomousvehicle A3 located at the first point A travels to the second point B1,which is the next destination, by a predetermined time.

At the second point B1, both a battery charging facility and areplacement facility are provided. On the other hand, neither a batterycharging facility nor a replacement facility is provided at the secondpoint B2. The distance between the first point A and the second point B1is 1 km. The distance between the first point A and the second point B2is 1 km.

The remaining level of the battery of the autonomous vehicle A1 at thecurrent time is 55%. The remaining level of the battery of theautonomous vehicle A2 at the current time is 60%. The remaining level ofthe battery of the autonomous vehicle A3 at the current time is 50%. Theremaining time until the departure time of the autonomous vehicle A1 is20 minutes. The remaining time until the departure time of theautonomous vehicle A2 is 30 minutes. The remaining time until thedeparture time of the autonomous vehicle A3 is 25 minutes.

Based on the above-described predetermined condition, the controller 13determines priority 1 for the autonomous vehicle A2 as the priority foreither charging or replacing the battery at the first point A, forexample. For the autonomous vehicle A2, the remaining level of thebattery at the current time is the highest and the remaining time untilthe departure time is also the longest. However, the controller 13determines that charging or replacing the battery mounted in theautonomous vehicle A2 at the first point A is the highest priority,giving more weight to the condition that neither a battery chargingfacility nor a replacement facility is provided at the second point B2,which is the next destination.

Subsequently, the controller 13 determines priority 2 for the autonomousvehicle A1 as the priority for either charging or replacing the batteryat the first point A, for example. In terms of only the autonomousvehicles A1 and A3, excluding the autonomous vehicle A2, thepredetermined conditions for the facilities at the second point B1 areidentical to each other. Similarly, the predetermined conditions for thedistance from the first point A to the second point B1 are alsoidentical to each other. On the other hand, the remaining level of thebattery at the current time and the remaining time until the departuretime each differ between the autonomous vehicle A1 and the autonomousvehicle A3. For example, the controller 13 determines that charging orreplacing the battery mounted in the autonomous vehicle A1 at the firstpoint A is the second priority, giving more weight to the condition thatthe remaining level of the battery at the current time is greater, butthe remaining time until the departure time is shorter.

Finally, the controller 13 determines priority 3 for the autonomousvehicle A3 as the priority for either charging or replacing the batteryat the first point A, for example.

Referring to FIG. 9, autonomous vehicles C1, C2, and C3 are located at afirst point C as autonomous vehicles 20 with a remaining level of thebattery of less than the prescribed remaining level. The autonomousvehicle C1 located at the first point C travels to the second point D1,which is the next destination, by a predetermined time. The autonomousvehicle C2 located at the first point C travels to the second point D2,which is the next destination, by a predetermined time. The autonomousvehicle C3 located at the first point C travels to the second point D3,which is the next destination, by a predetermined time.

At the second point D1, both a battery charging facility and areplacement facility are provided. At the second point D2, only abattery replacement facility is provided. At the second point D3, only abattery charging facility is provided. The distance between the firstpoint C and the second point D1 is 1.5 km. The distance between thefirst point C and the second point D2 is 3 km. The distance between thefirst point C and the second point D3 is 2 km.

The remaining level of the battery of the autonomous vehicle C1 at thecurrent time is 45%. The remaining level of the battery of theautonomous vehicle C2 at the current time is 50%. The remaining level ofthe battery of the autonomous vehicle C3 at the current time is 55%. Theremaining time until the departure time of the autonomous vehicle C1 is30 minutes. The remaining time until the departure time of theautonomous vehicle C2 is 30 minutes. The remaining time until thedeparture time of the autonomous vehicle C3 is 30 minutes.

Based on the above-described predetermined conditions, the controller 13determines priority 1 for the autonomous vehicle C2 as the priority foreither charging or replacing the battery at the first point C, forexample. For the autonomous vehicles C1, C2, and C3, the predeterminedconditions regarding the facilities at the second point are similar toeach other, and the predetermined conditions regarding the remainingtime until the departure time are identical to each other. However, thecontroller 13 determines that charging or replacing the battery mountedin the autonomous vehicle C2 at the first point C is the highestpriority, giving more weight to the condition that the distance from thefirst point C to the second point D2, which is the next destination, isthe longest.

Subsequently, the controller 13 determines priority 2 for the autonomousvehicle C1 as the priority for either charging or replacing the batteryat the first point C, for example. In terms of only the autonomousvehicles C1 and C3, excluding the autonomous vehicle C2, thepredetermined conditions for the facilities at the second point aresimilar to each other. The predetermined conditions regarding theremaining time until the departure time are identical to each other. Onthe other hand, the distance from the first point C to the second pointand the remaining level of the battery at the current time are eachdiffer between the autonomous vehicle C1 and the autonomous vehicle C3.For example, the controller 13 determines that charging or replacing thebattery mounted in the autonomous vehicle C1 at the first point C is thesecond priority, giving more weight to the condition that the distancefrom the first point C to the second point is shorter, but the remaininglevel of the battery at the current time is lower.

Finally, the controller 13 determines priority 3 for the autonomousvehicle C3 as the priority for either charging or replacing the batteryat the first point C, for example. As described above, the controller 13flexibly determines the priority for a plurality of autonomous vehicles20 that are located at the first point and have a remaining level of thebattery of less than a predetermined amount by, for example,comprehensively comparing predetermined conditions that include aplurality of items.

According to the above embodiment, an electricity shortage in anautonomous vehicle 20 that travels between points can be prevented. Forexample, by determining, based on the current time and the predeterminedtime, to charge, to replace, or neither to charge nor replace thebattery mounted in the autonomous vehicle 20 at the first point, theinformation processing apparatus 10 can determine to charge the batterymounted in the autonomous vehicle 20 to increase the remaining level ofthe battery when there is extra time until the predetermined time. Forexample, the information processing apparatus 10 can determine toreplace the battery mounted in the autonomous vehicle 20 so that thebattery can immediately be replaced with a charged battery when there isnot much time left until the predetermined time. On the other hand, theinformation processing apparatus 10 can determine neither to charge norto replace the battery when there is not much time left until thepredetermined time if, for example, the remaining level of the batteryis at least a prescribed remaining level. Departure of the autonomousvehicle 20 can thus be prioritized.

The information processing apparatus 10 determines whether to charge orto replace the battery at the first point by comparing the remainingtime until the departure time with the charging time. For example, theinformation processing apparatus 10 can determine to charge the batterymounted in the autonomous vehicle 20 to increase the remaining level ofthe battery when the remaining time until the departure time is longerthan the charging time. For example, the information processingapparatus 10 can determine to replace the battery mounted in theautonomous vehicle 20 so that the battery can immediately be replacedwith a charged battery when the remaining time until the departure timeis shorter than the charging time. In this way, even when the chargingtime for charging the mounted battery to a prescribed remaining levelcannot be secured for the autonomous vehicle 20 at the first point, thebattery can be replaced by a battery with at least the prescribedremaining level, preventing an electricity shortage during travelbetween points.

By determining the prescribed remaining level of the battery based ontopographical information along the travel route between the first pointand the second point, the information processing apparatus 10 canaccurately determine the prescribed remaining level of the batterynecessary for travel between points. In this way, the informationprocessing apparatus 10 can accurately execute this determinationprocess in the case, for example, of using the prescribed remaininglevel of the battery as one judgment criterion when determining tocharge, to replace, or neither to charge nor replace the battery at thefirst point. Consequently, the autonomous vehicle 20 can more reliablyprevent an electricity shortage during travel between points.

By the predetermined time including a desired reception time of arecipient who is to receive a package, carried by the autonomousvehicle, at the second point, the autonomous vehicle 20 can reliablydeliver a package by the predetermined time to the recipient at thesecond point while preventing an electricity shortage during travelbetween the first point and the second point. The reliability of anautonomous delivery system for packages that incorporates the autonomousvehicle 20 thereby improves, and the convenience for users of theautonomous delivery system, including the recipient, improves.

The information processing apparatus 10 determines a priority for eachautonomous vehicle 20 based on a predetermined condition. Consequently,even when there is a plurality of autonomous vehicles that are locatedat the first point and have a remaining level of the battery of lessthan the prescribed remaining level, the information processingapparatus 10 can determine to charge or to replace the battery at thefirst point in an appropriate order for the autonomous vehicles 20.Regular operation of a plurality of autonomous vehicles 20 at the firstpoint with regard to battery charging or replacement can thus beachieved. Consequently, the information processing apparatus 10 canappropriately manage the batteries and the schedule of a plurality ofautonomous vehicles 20 located at the first point. The informationprocessing apparatus 10 can thereby appropriately manage the schedule ofthe autonomous vehicles 20 while preventing an electricity shortage inthe autonomous vehicles 20 even after departure from the first point.

The predetermined condition includes whether a charging facility and areplacement facility for the battery are located at the second pointassociated with each autonomous vehicle 20. The information processingapparatus 10 can thereby determine to charge or to replace the batteryat the first point on a priority basis for an autonomous vehicle 20associated with a second point where, for example, neither a batterycharging facility nor a replacement facility is provided. The batterycan reliably be charged or replaced at the first point for such anautonomous vehicle 20. Hence, even when neither a battery chargingfacility nor a replacement facility is provided at the second point, anelectricity shortage can also be prevented during travel between pointsafter departure from the second point.

By the autonomous vehicle 20 including a small, unmanned deliveryvehicle configured to deliver packages autonomously, the informationprocessing system 1 can function as an autonomous delivery system forpackages using the autonomous vehicle 20. The information processingsystem 1 can reliably deliver a package to a recipient by thepredetermined time while suppressing an electricity shortage in theautonomous vehicle 20 that travels between points. The reliability ofthe information processing system 1 thereby improves, and theconvenience for users, including the recipient, improves.

While the present disclosure has been described based on the drawingsand examples, it should be noted that various changes and modificationsmay be made by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure.Accordingly, such modifications and revisions are included within thescope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions and the likeincluded in each component, step, or the like can be rearranged in alogically consistent manner. A plurality of components, steps, or thelike may be combined into one, or a single component, step, or the likemay be divided.

For example, at least some of the processing operations performed in theinformation processing apparatus 10 in the above embodiment may beperformed in the autonomous vehicle 20. For example, instead of theinformation processing apparatus 10, the autonomous vehicle 20 itselfmay perform the processing operations described above with respect tothe information processing apparatus 10. At least a portion of theprocessing operations performed in the autonomous vehicle 20 may beperformed in the information processing apparatus 10.

For example, a general purpose electronic device, such as a smartphoneor a computer, can also be configured to function as the informationprocessing apparatus 10 according to the above embodiment. Specifically,a program describing the processing content for realizing the functionsof the information processing apparatus 10 and the like according to theembodiment is stored in a memory of the electronic device, and theprogram is read and executed by the processor of the electronic device.Accordingly, the present disclosure can also be embodied as a programexecutable by a processor.

Alternatively, an embodiment of the present disclosure may beimplemented as a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores aprogram executable by one or more processors to cause the informationprocessing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment or the like toperform the various functions. It is to be understood that theseembodiments are also included within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

For example, the information processing apparatus 10 in the aboveembodiment may be mounted in the autonomous vehicle 20. At this time,the information processing apparatus 10 may communicate informationdirectly with the autonomous vehicle 20 without passing through thenetwork 30.

In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 hasbeen described as using the predetermined remaining amount of thebattery as one judgment criterion when determining to charge, toreplace, or neither to charge nor replace the battery at the firstpoint, but this example is not limiting. The information processingapparatus 10 need not use the predetermined remaining amount of thebattery as a judgment criterion. In other words, the informationprocessing apparatus 10 may omit the process of step S300 in FIG. 5, forexample, and determine to charge, to replace, or neither to charge norreplace the battery at the first point based on the current time and thepredetermined time.

In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 hasbeen described as determining whether to charge or to replace thebattery at the first point by comparing the remaining time until thedeparture time with the charging time, but this example is not limiting.For example, instead of using the charging time, which changes for eachbattery, as a threshold, the information processing apparatus 10 may useany other constant threshold and compare the threshold with theremaining time until the departure time to determine whether to chargeor to replace the battery at the first point.

In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 hasbeen described as determining a priority for each autonomous vehicle 20based on a predetermined condition, but this example is not limiting.The information processing apparatus 10 need not determine suchpriority. For example, as long as the schedule of each autonomousvehicle 20 among a plurality of autonomous vehicles 20 located at thefirst point can be managed accurately, the information processingapparatus 10 may determine whether to charge or to replace the batteryof the autonomous vehicle 20 in the order of arrival at the first point.

In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 hasbeen described as determining the priority while comprehensivelycomparing predetermined conditions that include a plurality of items,but this example is not limiting. The information processing apparatus10 may determine the priority based on at least one item among theaforementioned plurality of items included in the predeterminedconditions.

1. An information processing apparatus for controlling at least one autonomous vehicle that travels between points, the information processing apparatus comprising a controller configured to: determine, based on a current time and a predetermined time, to charge, to replace, or neither to charge nor replace a battery, mounted in the autonomous vehicle, at a first point when the autonomous vehicle located at the first point is to travel by the predetermined time to a second point that is a next destination.
 2. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine to charge or to replace the battery at the first point by comparing a remaining time until a departure time at the first point based on the predetermined time with a charging time required to charge the battery to a prescribed remaining level.
 3. The information processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to determine the prescribed remaining level of the battery based on topographical information along a travel route between the first point and the second point.
 4. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time includes a desired reception time of a recipient who is to receive a package, carried by the autonomous vehicle, at the second point.
 5. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one autonomous vehicle includes a plurality of autonomous vehicles, and when the controller judges that the plurality of autonomous vehicles have a remaining level of the battery of less than a prescribed remaining level and are located at the first point, the controller is configured to determine a priority for charging or replacing the battery at the first point for each autonomous vehicle among the plurality of autonomous vehicles based on a predetermined condition.
 6. The information processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the predetermined condition includes whether a charging facility and replacement facility for the battery are located at the second point associated with each autonomous vehicle.
 7. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the autonomous vehicle includes a small, unmanned delivery vehicle configured to deliver packages autonomously.
 8. An information processing system comprising: the information processing apparatus of claim 1; and the autonomous vehicle controlled by the information processing apparatus.
 9. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program executable by one or more processors and configured to cause an information processing apparatus for controlling at least one autonomous vehicle that travels between points to execute functions comprising: determining, based on a current time and a predetermined time, to charge, to replace, or neither to charge nor replace a battery, mounted in the autonomous vehicle, at a first point when the autonomous vehicle located at the first point is to travel by the predetermined time to a second point that is a next destination.
 10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the functions include determining to charge or to replace the battery at the first point by comparing a remaining time until a departure time at the first point based on the predetermined time with a charging time required to charge the battery to a prescribed remaining level.
 11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the functions include determining the prescribed remaining level of the battery based on topographical information along a travel route between the first point and the second point.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the predetermined time includes a desired reception time of a recipient who is to receive a package, carried by the autonomous vehicle, at the second point.
 13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the at least one autonomous vehicle includes a plurality of autonomous vehicles, and the functions include determining, when it is judged that the plurality of autonomous vehicles have a remaining level of the battery of less than a prescribed remaining level and are located at the first point, a priority for charging or replacing the battery at the first point for each autonomous vehicle among the plurality of autonomous vehicles based on a predetermined condition.
 14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the predetermined condition includes whether a charging facility and replacement facility for the battery are located at the second point associated with each autonomous vehicle.
 15. An autonomous vehicle to be controlled by an information processing apparatus and to travel between points, the autonomous vehicle comprising a controller configured to: determine, based on a current time and a predetermined time, to charge, to replace, or neither to charge nor replace a mounted battery at a first point when the autonomous vehicle is to travel by the predetermined time to a second point that is a next destination.
 16. The autonomous vehicle of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to determine to charge or to replace the battery at the first point by comparing a remaining time until a departure time at the first point based on the predetermined time with a charging time required to charge the battery to a prescribed remaining level.
 17. The autonomous vehicle of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to determine the prescribed remaining level of the battery based on topographical information along a travel route between the first point and the second point.
 18. The autonomous vehicle of claim 15, wherein the predetermined time includes a desired reception time of a recipient who is to receive a package, carried by the autonomous vehicle, at the second point.
 19. The autonomous vehicle of claim 15, wherein when the controller judges that the autonomous vehicle and one or more other autonomous vehicles have a remaining level of the battery of less than a prescribed remaining level and are located at the first point, the controller is configured to determine a priority for charging or replacing the battery at the first point for the autonomous vehicle and each other autonomous vehicle based on a predetermined condition.
 20. The autonomous vehicle of claim 19, wherein the predetermined condition includes whether a charging facility and replacement facility for the battery are located at the second point associated with the autonomous vehicle and each other autonomous vehicle. 